Arsenal attacker, Alex Iwobi was back in The Gunners’ starting line-up for their North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur, as the gaffer opted to place Mesut Ozil and Sead Kolasinac on the bench.
In what could be a direct reaction to Iwobi’s stunning performance as a substitute in the previous match against Bournemouth, Arsenal boss, Unai Emery opted for a change in game plan this time out.
Iwobi proved his value again, as he was found in key positions from the start, and had a foot in the move that resulted in Aaron Ramsey shooting the visitors ahead as early as the 16th minute of play.
The Super Eagles was then involved in more drama in the closing stages of added time after 90 minutes, as he tried to salvage Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s lost penalty, only or the Gabonese star to be denied by a goal line clearance after a pass from Iwobi, as the game dragged on at 1-1.
Sports247.ng reports further that the match at Wembley Stadium in Saturday’s early kick-off also came few hours after Kolasinac confessed that he would love seeing Iwobi start more often than line out from the bench at the first blast.
Kolasinac was joined by another attacker midfielder, Nacho Monreal in pouring accolades on Iwobi, who they felt has the right skills and depth to employ the coach’s tactics to the letter.
Emery further disclosed before Saturday’s game that Monreal and Kolasinac want him to pick Iwobi every week into the starting line-up, because of what he adds to the squad during matches.
Indeed, Iwobi showed another side of his immense talent in midweek, when he got off the bench against Bournemouth and inspired Arsenal to a remarkable 5-1 trouncing on The Cherries.
Emery disclosed: “When I ask Nacho Monreal and Sead Kolasinac who is the player who you feel better when he is playing, they say Iwobi. It is because Iwobi can open space on the overlap for them. So I think Iwobi is giving a lot for us.”
